Stepping into Lauren and Kevin's apartment, you would never know that it was blustery outside and that winter had already cast its gray-white pallor across the world. Vibrant colors and a panoply of fanciful objects give the space a warm and inviting feeling, and their home, so full of pattern and life, makes it seem as if winter were a thousand miles away.

While one might call their home eclectic, vintage-inspired, or collected, I think the term that best sums up Lauren and Kevin's style is "unafraid." Salmon walls? A black bedroom? A horse head in the kitchen? These things may have given other decorators pause, but for Lauren and Kevin, the question was, "Why not?" — and the results speak volumes. What they've created is a home that shows precisely who they are and what they love. The walls are peppered with meaningful objects and homages to the movies, books, and art that have shaped them, and for every touch of Lauren, there's an equal dose of Kevin; her love of Godard and animals comes together neatly with his affection for Batman and Shakespeare. While they've had plenty of design inspiration from other sources, their apartment is much more than an amalgamation of other people's ideas.

What with the zebra-print accents, lush, large-scale plants, and variety of fauna, one begins to understand the aptness of the jungle analogy, and upon consideration, it even functions on a deeper level. A jungle is filled with wonders from the grand to the small, inviting continual exploration and discovery. It's the same with Lauren and Kevin's home, where there is a frequent negotiation between large-scale moments and teensy treasures, all of which which constantly invite you to look, engage, and ultimately, get to know them better.

Biggest Challenge: Our walls are old and paint-saturated, and they have the cracks to show for it. The kitchen cabinetry leaves a lot to be desired, and we could do with a hallway closet.

What Friends Say: "Can't wait to see 'Lauren & Kevin's Urban Jungle Oasis' on Apartment Therapy!"— an email from our friend Jean after we told her we were doing a tour. Now you can't use that title. ☺ (Writer's note: We'll see about that....Thanks, Jean!)

Biggest Embarrassment: I still feel the need to apologize for our apartment and explain away half-finished projects when guests come over. It's a bad habit and a difficult one to break. I'm working on being proud of what we have done rather than focusing solely on those things we've yet to do.

Proudest DIY: I'm a big fan of the painted & reupholstered Chippendale chairs in the living room.

Biggest Indulgence: Our biggest indulgence is probably our collection of small indulgences; we are both big book lovers and are constantly tempted by new titles to add to our shelves.

Best Advice: Neither of us are designers, so our place is the result of a lot of trial and error. Don't be afraid to change direction if something in a room doesn't feel right after living with it for a while. That's what Craigslist is for!

Dream Sources: Estate sales and antique stores — without having to look at price tags — and Chicago shops like Jayson and Brimfield. Also, I would love to get my hands on bedding from Leontine Linens. I'm a sucker for fancy monograms.